BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

LEADERS of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Abuja declared that organising labour  was not endorsing or backing President Goodluck Jonathan or any other presidential candidates in this general elections.

This came as the congress commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the N18,000 National Minimum Wage Act, saying the new wage was the bench mark across which all the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory must pay.

President of the NLC, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, said at a briefing that the NLC was not endorsing either President Jonathan or any other candidate for the elections as the movement was not political.

Comrade Omar, however, argued  that the NLC and Nigerian workers would prefer a labour- friendly candidate, which workers would identify and vote for during the elections.

Congress also faulted statement credited to the Inspector -General of Police, that voters would not be allowed up to 300 meters to polling booth after casting their votes, saying it was unacceptable.

He said:   “We were at the Presidential Villa yesterday (Tuesday)  to meet with Mr. President; at least you did not hear us that we have endorsed the president or any of the candidates.

“We cannot endorse any candidate but we will want a labour-friendly president. Anyone that is labour-friendly, we will identify at our individual level and vote for such candidate.”